Greatest Angler

[Shad_Master]

Just read on the BassMaster Web Site that Rick Clunn was announced as the Greatest Angler 8)  A tough choice, but I think they got it right.

[roadwarrior]

Confirmed!

1. Rick Clunn

2. Roland Martin

3. Bill Dance

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Good.  I am glad to see Clunn get it.  Roland Martin seems like he is a jacka$$.  Don't know him personallly and have never met him, but that's the vibe I get from watching him on TV.  No doubt he is a great fisherman though.

[Preston]

Ive gotten that vibe too about Roland but yea hes deffnitly a great angler

[Shad_Master]

I guess being the "greatest" at anything is being able to get people to root for you, but there is something to be said for pure old accomplishment.  Roland has strung together some awsome stats as an angler and, in spite of his personality (SON!)  has taught a lot of people a lot of things about fishing (me included).  But in the final analysis, RC had to be the "greatest angler" just from shear consistency and understanding about the sport and the business.  Wonder if they will start this process again within the next 5 years and who might climb up the ladder in that time (KVD, Ike, Swindle...?).

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I think KVD is well on his way and will be the Greatest Angler if this debate ever goes on again when he is their age.

[Rattlinrogue]

I voted for R. Martin,but it's hard to argue 4 Bassmaster Classic Championships.

[Sam]

I voted for Clunn and I am gald he won.

Of course, I am a Jimmy Houston and Zell Roland and Woo Daves fan so what do I know?

[SBM-RL]

Thats awesome he definetly deserved to win

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Al Lindner for president then.

[Rattlinrogue]

And Bill Dance as his running mate.

[senko_77]

you really think clunn is better than kvd??  i know clunn has porduced more for a longer period of time, but thats because he has been around longer.  i really think it should have been kevin.  he has the versitality to fish fast and instantly turn to slow.

[Nick]

Yes, I think the only thing that kept KVD from the very top is about five more years of experience. Putting Dance so far up the ladder mystified me.  It's not like he quit tourney fishing two years ago. Road Warrior, I know he's  from Memphis, but come on. He and Roland should get the choreogrpahy award for "staged" fishing.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Choreography award,....LMAO

[Jeff_NHBA]

Rick Clunn - Zen Master of Bass Fishing.

Roland Martin - Self-promoting, arrogant, infomercial specialist.  (Helicopter Lures... Need I say more?)

[roadwarrior]

Well Nick,

The votes are in. It's just for fun and doesn't necessarily mean much, more like a popularity contest. As I stated on another thread, if it's really "Greatest Angler" not just bass, I think Al and Ron Lindner are #1 & #2, in either order.

Heck, Roland and Clunn tie in my book for bass fishing, how can you really say one is better than the other? Dance? I see your point, but I picked him third just because I like him! (BTW, I live in the Memphis area, but I'm not really FROM Memphis).

On another note, and this is for EVERYONE: You need to get yours hands on the June/ July In-Fisherman magazine. "A Beautiful Mind For Bass", an exclusive look at how bass fishing legend Rick Clunn locates and catches bass.

[Where do you place your bass-angling expertise on a scale of 1 to 10? "Arguably the most successful professional bass angler in history, Clunn scores himself a 4 or 5, most days. Rarely, 6 or 7."]

[Shad_Master]

So many people get down on Roland and Dance for being "self promoting" -- if I could get my bills and my fishing paid for, and all I had to do was get Triton, or Strike King, etc. tattooed on my *** and then show it everybody, I'd do it in a heartbeat.  I've never understood why people put these guys down.  They must be watching their shows and that's what they are all about.  I defy anyone to tell me that they have reached a competent level of fishing without having picked up at least one tip from these guys.

[5bass]

I voted Clunn also.

If Clunn had a TV show,I could guarantee you would learn more from 1 of Clunn's shows than 10 of Roland's shows.If you'll notice,everytime Roland tapes a show outside the state of Florida,he's got the best guide he can afford in the boat with him.He really should try to locate the fish on his own once in a while.

And if Bill Dance would get off those private,heavily stocked ponds,he might have a little trouble locating and catching fish also.Anybody can load the boat where Dance is fishin'.....but a bass is a bass I guess.What's really funny about Dance's show is when he's got his big fat Procraft on one of those really small lakes trying to look like he's fishing a huge lake.And you never see any jet-skiers or other boats anywhere!Just where is this secret magic lake Bill?

[roadwarrior]

Well, Bill actually has his own private pond. I don't know that all his shows are taped there, but it's state of the art. Ray Scott's private pond may have a higher ratio of big bass than Bill's, but maybe not. I guess when you're promoting lures, it's good to have a pond full of hungry 10 lb bass!

[5bass]

Oh yeah,I agree 100%.....promoting lures while fishing in a heavily stocked,unpressured,oversized pond is definitely a way to sell lures and that's what Bill's show is all about.He does it well.

As far as actually putting all the fishing skills together at once,on an unfamiliar body of water and locating his own fish,it would take him a solid week to tape a 30 min show.

I like Bill Dance,don't get me wrong,I just think he's a little over-rated.

[SuthernProg]

I agree. Rick Clunn for integrity if nothing else.